In 1990, "A soil gas survey . . . confirmed the presence of both PCE and trichloroethylene," the complaint states. The highest levels of the hazardous wastes were in the vicinity of the Fabric Care facility, storm sewer and drum storage area.

Other inspections from August 1992 to April 1994 found recurring cases of improperly labeled drums of hazardous waste, improper storage of the waste, incomplete training records and poorly maintained inspection logs.

Michael Sullivan, Department of Environment spokesman, said no one has been harmed in the violations cited since 1992 and that many have been corrected. The fine was issued to keep further violations from occurring, he said.

"You have to be sure that a pattern doesn't develop," Mr. Sullivan said. "You have to make sure they're aware that it's up to us that those things are done on a consistent basis."

Don McClow, spokesman for Fort Meade, said he cannot comment on the fine or the violations until he speaks with environmental officers.

According to the Department of Environment, Fort Meade generates more than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste each month, including solvents, acids, paints, batteries, pesticides, oils and photographic chemicals.

The department also has asked Fort Meade to submit a time schedule saying when the administration will approve some means of environmental testing, including installing four monitoring wells to determine the amount of contamination at the Fabric Care facility.